The famous sociologist Karl Marx theorised that the societies of the world had been through a series of economic steps which will culminate in Communism. Firstly, countries existed in primitive Communism, which was a situation in which all individuals were equal (equated with ancient hunting and gathering).

Next, Marx theorised that societies progressed to classical slavery, a stage in which lower classes were formed for the first time. This stage is equated with the Greek and Roman empires.

Eventually classical slavery was overthrown by the lower classes in a Feudalist revolution, and a feudal system came into being. A good example of this is ancient England's system of lords and peasants.

After feudalism, came Capitalism, which we all know as the dominant economic system governing most of the world in 2002. According to Marx, Capitalism is destined to be overthrown by a Communist revolution.

The end result of a Communist revolution is that a country will be governed in such a way that the working class cannot be discriminated against. In practice this can mean many different measures from the nationalisation of industry to social welfare in the form of free health, housing and education.